BIO

Andy Brandi announced on
May 29, 2001 that he was resigning
as head coach of the University of
Florida women’s tennis program
effective July 3, when he will
become the Director of Coaching for
IMG Academies.

Over the past decade, the
University of Florida tennis program
has experienced unprecedented success on and off the court. The
man responsible for guiding the Gator program over that time span
is Andy Brandi. Brandi, who is the elder statesman of the UF
athletic coaching staff after guiding the Gators for the past 17
seasons, owns the highest winning percentage in Division I
collegiate tennis with a career record of 460 wins and 43 losses
and ranks among the top-five all-time for coaching wins in NCAA
history.

During the 1998-99 season, Brandi became the quickest coach
to record 400 career victories, as he reached the milestone just 435
matches into his 15 th season with the Gators. He joined only four
other coaches at that distinguished plateau.

On March 31, 2001, Brandi collected his 450 th career win with
the Gator’s 6-1 victory against Texas in Austin.
In 1996, he joined an exclusive club of 11 active coaches that had
earned 300 career victories.

In 1996, Florida became only the second team in history to
sweep all three NCAA Championships, as the Gators captured the
team, singles and doubles titles. The Gators have also collected 12
Southeastern Conference crowns, dropping only three regular-season
league matches during Brandi’s tenure. Over the last 14
years (the 2001 season is not included here), the team has finished
amongst the top five in the country every season, including a No. 1
regular season ranking on 27 occasions.

In individual play, Brandi has coached players to 18 grand slam
championship titles. The recruitment of Lisa Raymond, the premier
junior player in the nation in 1991, delivered incalculable awards,
including four grand slam titles - three in a single season, a first-ever
feat, by a man or woman in collegiate tennis. Raymond also became
the first Gator professional Grand Slam champion, when she and her
mixed doubles partner won the 1996 U.S. Open title. Raymond later
added the 1999 Wimbledon mixed doubles and 2000 Australian
Open women’s doubles crowns to her collection.

Undoubtedly, few coaches anywhere can match the credentials
of the tenured Brandi. Once a competitive juniors and collegiate
player, the Puerto Rico native, has successfully progressed through
the coaching ranks as well.

In addition to Raymond’s success during her rookie campaign
at Florida, Brandi also tutored Andrea Farley, Halle Cioffi, Shaun
Stafford and, most recently, Stephanie Nickitas to grand slam titles
in their freshman seasons. Farley won the 1989 National Clay
Courts, while Cioffi captured the 1988 ROLEX National Indoors title.
Stafford earned the National Clay Court crown in 1986. Nickitas
claimed the NCAA and ROLEX National Indoors doubles titles,
compiling a school-record 41 wins against one loss. In 1987, Brandi
coached the tandem of Jill Hetherington and Cathy Goodrich to the
1987 ROLEX National Indoors doubles crown.

Adding to the championships, many of Brandi’s players have
received various national honors for their success. Raymond (1992
and 1993), Cioffi (1989) and Jill Craybas (1996) were chosen Tennis
Magazine Player of the Year. Four Gators have been voted National
Rookie of the Year in Shaun Stafford (1987), Halle Cioffi (1988),
Lisa Raymond (1992) and Dawn Buth (1995). Three players have
been recognized as National Unsung Player of the Year in Tammy
Whittington (1987), Siobhan Nicholson (1988) and Holly Danforth
(1991). Nicole Arendt was chosen as the National Senior Player of
the Year in 1991.

In addition, Stafford (1988), Raymond (1992 & 1993) and
Craybas (1996) won the prestigious HONDA Award for Tennis. Holly
Lloyd was selected as 1990 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state
of Florida.

But, athletic accomplishments have only been a part of the high
standards Brandi has set during his tenure.

“The academic honors are very important to me and to this
team,” Brandi said. “It shows how accountable this team is to being
student-athletes and how well they conform to their responsibili-ties.”

The Gators women’s tennis team holds the record for the
highest semester grade point average of any UF team in school
history - breaking their own record twice over the past six school
years.

The dedication and success of Andy Brandi teams has not
gone by unnoticed. In September 1996 and 1998, he earned Coach
of the Year honors from the United States Professional Tennis
Registry, recognizing teaching excellence in the sport of tennis. In
1989 and 1996, Brandi was voted the Wilson/ITA National Coach of
the Year. In 1988, he was named USPTA Coach of the Year. He
also was awarded Coach of the Year for the region in 1988, 1991,
1992, 1995 and 1996, and SEC in 1987, 1988, 1993, 1996 and
1998.

Brandi is involved in and supports the Ronald McDonald House
through Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The UF coach, along with
men’s coach Ian Duvenhage, has helped raise over $35,000 by
playing host to a Pro-Am Tournament at the Varsity Courts. Brandi
played a major role in attracting world-ranked tennis players for the
1991 event, including Jim Courier and Jay Berger - the featured
exhibition match.

As a professional coach of touring professionals, he has traveled to
Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the French Open, the Australian Open
and major tournaments in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada and
South America. During the summer of 1989, Brandi coached the
Wellington Aces, a team of professionals competing in the Domino’s
Pizza Tennis Team League.

In October of 1998, Brandi guided the U.S. team in the Maureen
Connolly Challenge Trophy Match, which competes annually against
England.

In 1987, he was selected to coach the Wimbledon and U.S.
Open junior teams, as well as the Junior Whitman Cup and Siosbault
Cup teams. Brandi also is a former executive director of the Nick
Bolletieri Tennis Academy.

Brandi’s coaching career has placed him in eight states and the
Dominican Republic. Between 1972 and 1983, he served as a camp
director, head pro and private pro for over 12 different clubs and
academies. In fact, in 1972, he was a private pro to former New York
Governor Nelson Rockefeller at his estate in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Brandi began playing tennis at the age of eight as a Welby Van
Horn protégé. He achieved a junior national ranking in 12s, 14s and
18s and under divisions. Brandi then accepted an athletic scholar-ship
to Trinity University, a traditional tennis powerhouse, and
earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He went on
to compete professionally in the United States, Europe and South
America.

Brandi’s expertise, diverse background and training has
provided several journalistic opportunities. He has written several
instructional articles for publications such as Tennis magazine and
has served as a guest columnist for Stan Smith’s syndicated
column.

The 48-year old seasoned veteran is fluent in Spanish and
English, and speaks French and Italian. He enjoys golf, reading and
W.C. Fields movies. In addition to his other interests, Brandi studies
Tae Kwon Do and Wado Kai.

Brandi and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of 18-year old son,
Christopher Andres, who is a nationally ranked player himself.
Christopher recently signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his
academic and athletic career at Texas Christian University beginning
in the Fall of 2001. Nancy is actively involved in the Lady Gator
Booster Board. Brandi’s father, Jose, also resides in Gainesville and
is an active member of the Lady Gator Tennis Booster Club.

Did You Know...
That every freshman that has played four seasons under
Andy Brandi since 1985...
*has played for the national title during their careers
*has been part of at least three SEC Championship squads
during their careers
*earned All-SEC honors during their careers